House electric



A. T. KASLEY.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 31. I917- 1,313,698. Patented Aug; 19, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. T. KASLEY.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1911.

1,313,698. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W1 TNESSES; JNVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

A. T. KASLEY.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31,1917.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES:

IN V EN TOR.

ORM 5. ML,

, %zzw l1 TTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER T. KASLEY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING-HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed March 31, 1917. Serial No. 158,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER T. KAsLnY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and cratingpressure and has for an object to produce a new and improved method ofpressure generation, which is well adapted to be employed with powerdeveloping and power transforming apparatus.

A further object is to produce a method of generating pressure, whichconsists in unlting a fuel and a decomposable oxygenbearing material andin heating the mlxture until combustion takes place.

A further object is to produce a method of generating pressure in whichan oxygen bearing material and a fuel are chemlcally unlted in a closedchamber, and in which a part of the heat generated by the chemicalaction is employed to heat the fresh materlal and fuel to thetemperature necessary for chemical combination.

A further object of the invention is to produce a method of generatingpressure, which is especially adapted to be employed with powerdeveloping apparatus and in which the heat of combustion is utilized incontinuously maintaining combustion.

A further object is to produce a method of generating pressure which isindependent of an external supply of oxygen, and is therefore welladaptedto be employed in submarines, torpedoes, mines, or in anyapparatus or place 'where a supply of oxygen, such as that contained inthe air, is not available.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout thefurther description, are attained by the method of encrating pressureherein described and ilustrated.

In the drawings forming a part hereof; Figure 1 is a diagrammaticsectional view of an apparatus by means of which the method of pressuregeneration constituting my invention may be carried out.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2.2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of another form of apparatus forcarrying out my invention. a

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a simplified form ofapparatus which may be employed in carrying outmy invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

The method constituting my invention is preferably carried outindependently of the supply of oxygen in the ail and it is, therefore,especially adapted to be employed 1n submarines, or in any otherapparatus which is not always in communication with the atmosphere. Incarryingout this invention, I employ an oxygen bearing material, such asammonium nitrate for supporting combustion, and a fuel, such as alcohol.These materials are cheap, especially the ammonium nitrate, and containall the elements necessary for combustion. I desire to call attention tothe fact that I employ the term fuel in its broad sense, that is, toindicate an element or reagent which unites with oxygen in such a waythat the reaction develops and gives off heat.

Ammonium nitrate is explosive when hot and dry, but it is not explosivewhen wet, therefore I preferably employ ammonium nitrate dissolved inwater. This solution is mixed with a fuel, such as alcohol, eitherbefore or after bein admitted to the combustion chamber. ere the mixtureis heated until chemical action takes place, resulting in the formationor liberation of gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxid anddioxid, and steam. These gases are under pressure and are capable ofdoing work, therefore they are preferably passed through a powerdeveloping apparatus, such as a pump, engine or turbine. Combustionammonium nitrate, water and alcohol, the

final combustible mixture may be .in approximately the followingproportions: ammonium nitrate 35 per cent; alcohol 8 per .cent. andwater 57 per cent. It is evident that this is a very inexpensivemixture, as relatively little of the most expensive material, alcohol,is employed, and more than half of the whole is water.

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated an apparatus for carrying out myinvention, and in which the ammonium nitrate, the water and the al tothe incoming material. These plates are 7 preferably arranged so as toofl'er a mlnh mum of resistance to the flow of fluids through thecombustion chamber 5.

When starting up, it is necessary to initially heat the plates 10 sothat the mix-v ture entering the combustion chamber 5 willbe heated tothe combustion temperature. T have illustrated a branch conduit 11adapted to establish communication between the interior of the casing 6and the conduit 8 and hence the combustion chamber 5. This conduit isprovided with a check valve 12. In starting up an explosive mixture isadmitted into the casing 6 through the inlet 7. This mixture is ignitedby some suitable igniter, such as a spark plug 7*, and the products ofcombustion pass through the check valve 12, the conduit 11, and a smallportion of the conduit 8 into the combustion chamber 5. The hotproductsof combustion heat up the plates 10 so that they become notenough to cause the combustion of the material subsequently admittedthrough the conduit 8.

In operation, combustion will take place in the upper part of the spacesbetween plates 10. This will beat the upper part of the metal plates 10,and as the plates have a high rate of conductivity, they will transmitthe heat to the incoming mixture in the bottom of the spaces betweenthem. The products of combustion pass 0E through the conduit 9 to anengine or to any other apparatus.

In Fig. 3, T have illustrated a modified form of apparatus for carryingout-my invention. In this apparatus T preferably pump or deliver theammonium nitrate solution and the alcohol separately to the combustionchamber. As illustrated, the combustion chamber13 is divided verticallyby a partition wall 14. The partition wall 14 divides the upper part ofthe combustion chamber 13 into two chambers, but allows opencommunication between them near the bottomof the chamber 13. As shown.these two chambers are filled with a carbon checker work or a checkerwork of some similar substance.

Ammonium nitrate is delivered to the combustion chamber on both sides ofthe partition wall 14 by means of a conduit 16,

nuance having a valved branch 17 enteri on one side of the partition,and a valve branch 18 enterin on the other side of the partition. TntTiber 13 and opening into it on each side of the partition wall It is aconduit 19 for carrying off the products of combustion.

T have illustrated a valve 20, provided with four disks, forautomatically shutting off communication between the conduit 19 and theside of the combustion chamber 13 served by the ammonium nitrate inlet18 and for simultaneously closing the ammonium nitrate inlet 17 andestablishing communication between the conduit 19 and the other side ofthe combustion chamber 13. When-the valve is shifted to the otherextremit of its travel, the ammonium nitrate inlet 1 is open and theconduit 19 is simul-' taneously shut off from that side of the comecenter of the combustion chambustion chamber. This action automaticallycloses the ammonium nitrate inlet 18 and bustion chamber 13.

In this embodiment of my invention I introduce the fuel, or alcohol, atthe bottom of the chamber 13 through an inlet 21'.

Tn the bottom of the combustionchamber 13, T have shown two carbonelectrodes 22 and 23, which project through the bottom of the chamberand are connected to some source of electrical energy, such as the line24.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 is as follows: Instarting up, the electrodes 22 and 23 are connected to the source ofelectrical energy causing current to flow from one electrode to theother through the carbon checker work which surrounds the electrodes andfills the chamber 13. This current heats the carbon checker Work so asto start the chemical action between the alcohol and the ammoniumnitrate. With the valve 20 in the position shown, the ammonium nitratesolution is introduced through the inlet 18 and the products ofcombustion rise up through the checker work in thezother side of thecombustion chamber 13 and pass out through the conduit 19 to the engine.The electric circuit is then broken, as the heat stored in the checkerwork is sufficient to cause combustion. The direction of flow throughthe combustion chamber is reversed as soon as the heat of combustion hasheated up one side of the chamber 13, so that the incoming materialswill pass through the portion of the combustion chamber which has beenthoroughly heated. As .the direction of flow is now reversed, the otherside of the chamber gradually grows hotter while the first side growscolder. When the side which was previously heated becomes too cool toproperly heat the incoming materials, the direction of flow through thechamber 13 is reversed by shifting the valve20. This is the familiarregenerative process and needs no further explanation.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a simple form of apparatus for carrying out themethod which constitutes my invention. In this embodiment of myinvention, the ammonium nitrate and the alcohol are also separatelypumped or delivered to the combustion chamber. I have shown thecombustion chamber as consisting of a rectangular box 25, provided withan ammonium nitrate inlet 26 and an outlet 27 which may be connectedwith an engine. In the center of the combustion chamber 25 are a seriesof sheet metal plates 28 for storing heat and transmitting it to theincoming materials. The direction of flow through the chamber 25 isindicated by arrows. Alcohol may be introduced to the combustion chamber25 at each end by means of pipes or conduits 29 and 30. The metal 7plates 28 are preferably formed in one corrugated sheet, as shown, forsimplicity and cheapness of construction. In operation the ammoniumnitrate solution is admitted through the inlet 26 and is heated by thelower part of the plates 28. As it flows toward the ends of thecombustion chamber 25 it meets the alcohol introduced through the inlets29 and 30 and combustion takes place, the products of combustion inpassing off through the outlets 27 to the engine, heat the plates 28.Any means may be employed for initially heating the plates.

The gases resulting from the combustion in the devices described may beemployed in any manner, for example, for the purposes for which steam orcompressed air are employed. The advantages of the method of pressuregeneration as described andv illustrated are of special importance tosubmersible marine vessels, as the combustion and generation of power isentirely independent of a supply of air or compressed oxygen.

While I have described and illustrated three embodiments of myinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges, modifications, additions and omissions may be made in theapparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The method of generatin fluid pressure which consists in initial yheating a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting material in aclosed chamber in which the pressure is to be generated, in deliveringan oxygen bearing liquid and fuel to said chamber and in contact withsaid material, storing within said chamber the vapors and gases evolvedby the combustion taking place within the chamber and subjecting theheat storing material to the heat of combustion within said chamber.

2. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initiallyheating a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting material containedwithin a closed chamber in which the pressure is to be generated, indelivering an oxygen bearing liquid and fuel to said chamber, so as tosubject the liquid to the heat of said material, in storing the gasesand vapors resulting from combustion within said chamber and insubjecting said material to the heat of combustion within said chamber.a

3. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initiallyheating a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting agent containedwithin a closed chamber in whichthe pressure is to be generated,delivering an aqueous solution of oxygen bearing material and a fuelinto said chamber and into contact with said agent, storing the vaporsand gases evolved by the combustion within said chamber, and subjectingsaid agent to the heat of said combustion.

4. The method of enerating pressure, which consists in initially heatinga porous body of heat storing material, then in passing an oxygenbearing material and a fuel into and through the heat storing materialand then in periodically reversing the direction of flow through theheat storing material so that the incoming materials initially passthrough substantially the hottest part of the heat storing materials andare chemically united with each other.

5. In an apparatus for generating pressure, a combustion chamber fromwhich air is excluded during operation, mean for delivering oxygenbearing'material and a fuel to the combustion chamber, a carbonaceousheat storing and transmitting means inclosed by the combustion chamberfor trans mitting a part of the heat of combustion to incoming fuel andoxygen bearing material,

and means for initia y heating the heat storing and transmitting means.

6. An apparatus for generating pressure, com rising a regenerative heatstoring combustion chamber, from which air is excluded during operation,means for delivering an oxygen bearing solution to the combustionchamber, means for delivering a fuel to the combustion chamber, meansfor reversing the direction of flow of fluids through the combustionchamber, and means for initially heating the heat storing material inthe combustion chamber.

7. In an apparatus for generating ressure, a combustion chamber providedw1th a fluid delivery port and from which air is excluded during theoperation of generating heat, means for delivering oxygen bearingmaterial and a fuel to the chamber, a car bonaceous heat storing andtransmitting means inclosed within the combustion chamber fortransmitting heat of combustion within the chamber to the oxygen bearingmaterial entering the chamber, and means for initially heating the heatstoring and transmitting means.

8. In an apparatus for generating pressure, a combustion chamberprovided with a fluid delivery port and from which atmospheric air isexcluded during operation, a carbonaceous heat storing and transmittingmaterial located within said chamber, means for initially heating saidmaterial, and means for delivering an oxygen bearing liquid and a fuelinto said chamber and into contact with said material.

9. The method of enerating pressure, which consists in initiaTly heatinga porous body of heat storing material, then in passing an oxygenbearing material into and through the heat storing material, ininjecting fuel into and through the heat storing material at anintermediate point and then in periodically reversing the direction offlow of the oxygen bearing material through the heat storing material sothat the incoming material initially passes through substantially thehottest art of the heat storing materials and is c emically united withthe fuel.

. 10. in an apparatus for generating ressure, a sealed combustionchamber rom which air is excluded durin operation, a porous heat.absorbing material within the chamber, and means for injecting an oxygenbearing material and a fuel into the porous heat absorbing material, anda means for initially heating the heat absorbing material to causechemical unition of the oxygen bearing material and the fuel.

11. In an apparatus for generating pres sure, a sealed combustionchamber from which air is excluded during 0 eration, a porouscarbonaceous heat absor ing material within the chamber, and means forinjecting an oxygen bearing material and a fuel into the porous heatabsorbing material, and a means for initially heating the emme heatabsorbing material to cause'chemical unition of the oxygen bearingmaterial and the fuel.

12. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initiallyheatin 'a porous heat transmitting agent containe within a closedchamber in which the pressure 7 material,

13. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initiallyheatin a porous heat transmitting agent containe within a closed chamberin'which the pressure is to be generated and from which air isexeluded,injecting an oxygen bearing mate rial into said chamber and through theporous material, and passing a fuel through the porous material so thatit chemically unites with the oxygen bearing material within the poresof the heat transmitting material whereby part of the heat of combustionis imparted to the heat transmitting material.

14. in an apparatustor generating pres-' sure, a sealed combustionchamber from which air is excluded during operation,

means for delivering oxygen bearing material and a fuel to thecombustion chamber, a porous heat storing and transmitting meansinclosed by the combustion chamber for transmitting a part of the heatof combustion to the incoming oxygen bearing material, and means forinitially heating the heat storing and transmittin materia in testimonywhereof, I ave hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of March, 1917.

ALEXAER T. KASLEY,

Witnesses:

G. W. MoGnan, B. Goanono

